The Greathouse name has been recorded in a variety of ways, such as Groethausen, Grotehouse, Gratehouse,
but the most common spelling
is Greathouse. Absolute proof of lineages may never exist because early records have been destroyed
or lost. Because so many people have speculated over the years about
Greathouse lineages, with and without documentation, it’s difficult to separate fact from fiction.
A few early documents exist, but much information cannot be verified. Information presented here is from a variety of sources,
with every effort made to only report information gathered first hand or from
sources who consulted documents for their information. Some information is from the research of Jack Murray Greathouse who published his findings in 1954, and said, “Almost every statement in this book is based on actual records obtained from search of deed books, mortgage records, tax books, wills, census reports, marriage records and orphan statistics, as well as cemeteries, family Bibles, old newspapers, and the memory of the aged. Where a statement is based on conjecture or family legend, it is so stated.”
Hannah Benner Roach (1907-1976), a researcher and editor of the Pennsylvania
Genealogical Magazine for 15 years, said, “Genealogical
data in the Groethause or Greathouse family is fragmentary.Apart
from a few scattered records in the registers of St Michael’s Lutheran
Church, Germantown, of which Harmon Sr. was a founder, the only data that has
been recovered comes from deeds." Note that in early records the dates may be a year
different due to the calendar change.

1700 to 1750

Herman Groethausen/Greathouse

Based on existing records and his gravestone, Herman Groethausen/Greathouse was born in Prussia/Germany in 1670, arrived in Pennsylvania around 1710, and died in Pennsylvania in 1743. He is
thought to be the first of the Greathouse line to come to America. However, in a 10-year period from 1727 to 1737, there were over 9,000 German immigrants that came to Philadelphia.
There may have been other Greathouses who came to different locations, but Herman appears to be the first for whom we can find records. He lived and died in the
Germantown portion of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was known as Springfield Manor/Springfield Township.

The first settlers of Germantown came from the lower Rhine River area, not far from the borders of Holland. There is a marriage record for a Herman Grothauss to Anna Maria Hemmers in 1653 in Evangelisch, Westfalen/Westphalia, Prussia/Germany, but we have no knowledge if there is any relationship to the Herman who came to America. We have no record of a name for Herman’s wife. Herman had at least two sons, Henry and John who are named in his will. He may have had other children, but we have no record. Records
show Herman arrived in America "a few years" before 1712.

The German migration to America was not surprising. Germany was suffering from severe poverty in the late 1690’s as well as problems with the government, and a systematic suppression of Protestants. A petition signed by Lutheran pastors in 1710 reveals the problems and the poverty of their congregations. William Penn or his agents made trips to the Rhineland soliciting immigrants and selling
land in his colony in America. The first settlers of Germantown were from Crefeld, Germany and settled there in 1685. A brochure describing old Germantown states, “At the centre of the town was the market place and at the upper and lower ends were the two public burial grounds. On the east were several mills run by the waters of the Wingohocking, then a considerable stream, and on the west were even a greater number scattered along the Wissahickon. The cross roads of the town connected it with these mills and the ferry over the Schuylkill. The Abington Road, now Washington Lane, led to Abington Meeting.”

Original surveys show this township as "Gulielma Maria Penn's Mannor of Springfield" and containing four thousand and ten acres. Maria Springett married William Penn when he was 28 years old, and she died in 1694. A few years later, he married Hannah Callowhill.

Records in the Pennsylvania Archives show that Herman Groethausen ultimately
secured a land grant for 500 acres of land in Springfield Manor in Germantown. He
apparently purchased land in 1709 and had come to Philadelphia before 1712. However,
n his initial land purchase the boundaries were not clear. He decided to settle on 500 acres in Springfield Manor, where he apparently did not have a clear title. In 1712 he was told by the commissioners he must leave that land or pay rent. But from further proceedings in 1715, it appears Herman went to London and appealed to the Penns for help. William Penn was ill, and his second wife Hannah was handling his affairs. It is noted that
Herman had a letter from Mrs. Hannah Penn.

Meeting of the Commissioners November 19, 1712
“Herman Groethausen, who a few years ago came into this Province, having had deeds from the Proprietor for 500 acres of land, applied to the late Commissioners (as some of them inform) for the said, upon which a warrant was prepared for him, but instead of calling for it, he seated himself on the Mannor of Springfield, in the County of Philadelphia, which being represented to the Board, the said Herman was summoned to appear this day and produce his authority for so settling. And for this he produced a lease under the Proprietor’s hand and Seall, bearing date the 30th of the 10th, 1709, for a thousand years, and a Release dated the next day granting to the said Herman forever five hundred acres of land clear of all Indian incumbrances in the Province of Pennsylvania, between the Rivers of Susquehanna and Delaware, there together with all and every the Profitts, Commodities, and Hereditaments whatsoever unto the same belonging, every acre to be admeasured and computed according to the Statute 33d Edward 1st, Royall mines and all others excepted, paying yearly, and the said Herman doth for himself and his heirs Covenant and Grant to pay yearly as a Chief of quitt rent for every sere that shall be taken up one penny Sterl’g, to commence within 3 years after seating. But in another paper signed by the Proprietor, dated the 30th of December, the payment of the said Rent is released till seven years after Seating, and by an indorsement on the Release of the said 30th of 10, the Proprietor further grants one-twentieth part of all Royall Nines and two-fifths part of all other Nines, they paying a proportionable part of the Charges. The Proprietor also reserves to Himself and Co., free liberty to search for Mines in the said Lands, and further by the said Indorsement grants Liberty to Hawk, Hunt, Fish and Fowl, etc. This being the sum of the whole Grant, in which no particular Privilege is mentioned, He is required to move off from the said land, otherwise he must he proceeded against and ejected without delay. Because the said Herman appears a stranger to our Constitution and he has laid out most of what he had on s settlement made upon it, the Board has considered and are willing to grant that he may enjoy his improvement for some years on a reasonable Rent, He taking his own 500 acres
elsewhere.”

Meeting of the Commissioners October 21, 1715
“Herman Groethausen, late of Germany, but now of this Province, having in the year 1709 purchased of one, Coll. Rhedegelt, 900 a’s of Land to be laid out in this province upon which he repaired to London to transport himself and Family hither, and meeting with the Prop’r there acquainted himself with his design. The prop’r and he came to an agreement that upon Herman’s resigning of his Right which he purchased of Rhedegelt he shou’d have in Lien thereof 500 acres laid out amongst the inhabitants at the yearly rent of one penny Sterling p. acre for which the said Herman took short Deeds of Lease and Release, dated the thirtieth and thirty first days of December in the said year, and soon after arrived in this Province and laid his Deeds before the Commissioners in order to have his Land laid out, but by his Deeds mentioning no Particular Place (only between the River of Susquehannah and Delaware, for laying out the same, there cou’d be no other Warr’t granted but in the Common form, which he not complying with, seated himself on the Mannor Springfield, which soon after being made known to the Commissioners, they ordered him to remove from thence, but instead thereof he insisted on the Proprietor’s Promises to him upon their agreements, and so went to England for Redress, and being now returned with some Depositions of his Resigning his Deeds for the said 9,000 acres for only 500 acres, and that at 1 Penny Sterl’g p. acre, and also with a Letter from Mrs. Hannah Penn to the Commissioners, directing them to make the said Herman Easie in his Setlement, they have thereupon ordered that 500 acres of Land be forthwith laid out to him within the said Mannor, including within the same his Improvement, and accordingly a Warrant is granted and Signed. ”

As mentioned, Herman settled in the part of Philadelphia known as Germantown-Springfield Manor and stayed there until his death. According to the “History of Chestnut Hill” by John J. McFarlane, the Groethausen tract extended for a mile and a quarter along Stenton Avenue, from Paper Mill Road to Willow Grove Avenue, and east from Stenton Avenue nearly to Cheltenham Road. Stenton Avenue is the dividing line between Philadelphia and Springfield Township. Springfield.

Jack Murray Greathouse mentions the “List of Philadelphia County Land Owners” of 1734 showing Herman Greathouse with 260 acres in Springfield Township. “About three years prior to his death, Herman Groethausen, Springfield yeoman, deeded 109 acres of his original tract of 500 acres to his son John — (for) consideration, love, good will and fatherly affection and £ 13, l0 s. Deed Book G l, page 216 - Office of the Philadelphia Recorder of Deeds, dated November 24, 1740. John had evidently been living on this tract for same time and had considered it as his property long before his father actually deeded it to him, for in the List of Philadelphia County Land Owners, published for the first time in 1734, there appears the following entries under Springfield Township: Herman Greathouse, 260 acres John Greathouse, 109 acres.”

Greathouse family tradition has said that around 1741, Herman built a manor house whose present address is 901 Abington Avenue, Wyndmoor, PA.
Others have suggested that this house may have been built by Christopher Ottinger after he purchased some land from Herman.
However in the booklet “Springfield Township, Montgomery County” By Charles G. Zwicker, Edward C. Zwicker, Springfield Township Historical Society, we find the home on Abington Avenue belonged to Herman Groethausen and a different home at a different location is the one originally owned by the Ottingers. The Society, formed in 1985, states that they researched the deeds. See photos and notes below about the two homes.

However, others contend that the house at 901 Abington Avenue was built by neither Herman Greathouse nor Christopher Ottinger, but
rather by John Greathouse. They say, “The brochure (by the Springfield Historical Society) states that the 1742 house was built by Herman about a year before his death. This statement ignores the fact that Johann acquired that parcel of land in 1740, so Johann was most likely the one who built the house” and that there are “initials in the peak of that house I.G.H. / A.G.H. / 1742”. Perhaps a copy of the land transactions would confirm the ownership and dates.

According to Jack Murray Greathouse, Herman Groethausen died October 27, 1743 at the age of seventy-three and is buried in the grounds of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Germantown. He said the inscription on his tombstone reads: “Harman Grothaus, born 1670 - died Oct. 27, 1743.” Anthony Jacob Henckel/Hinkle was an early pastor of the church, and it is said about Henckel, “On August 17, 1728, as he was returning home one dark night from the sick bed of one of his congregation, his horse stumbled and threw him off. He was taken to the home of Herman Goothausen where he died that night.” Herman was a witness to the nuncupative will of his pastor, Anthony Hinkle.

Will of Herman Greathouse The will of Herman Groethausen is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book G page 76, and is dated October 19, 1743. The will mentions his two sons Henry and John, who are appointed executors. No mention is made of a wife
or any other children in the will.

In the name of God Amen the nineteenth day of October in the year of our Lord 1743 I Harman Grothausen of Springfield Manner in the County of Philadelphia Yeoman being very sick & weak in body but of perfect Mind and Memory Thanks be given unto God therefore calling into Mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Dye do make and Ordain this my last will and testament That is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to (be) buried in a Christian Like and decent manner at the descretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God And touching such Worldly Estate whereof it hath pleased God to Bless me in this I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form-- Imprimis it is my will and I do order That in the first place all my just debts and funeral Charges be paid and satisfied
Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved sons Henry & John Grothausen whom I likewise Constitute make and ordain my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament all and singular the Lands messuages and Tenements and moveables to be equally divided and so hereby utterly disallow evoke and disannul every other former Wills and Testaments Legacy's & Executors by me in any ways before this time named willed and bequeathed-- Ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal the Day and Year above written
Herman Grothausen {Seal}

Signed Sealed Published Pronounced and Declared by me the said Harman Grothausen as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us the Subscribers Viz &C. Johan Philip de Bertholt, Wigard Miller & Cornelius Nice the witnesses to the foregoing Will and the said Johan Philip De Bertholt on his Solemn Affirmation and the said Wigard Miller & Cornelius Nice on their oath respectively did declare they saw and heard Herman Grothausen the testator therein named Sign Seal Publish & Declare the same Will to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of Sound Mind Memory and Understanding to the best of their knowledge---Coram Pet'd Hodgson D. Reg'r

Be it Remembered that on the 16th. Nov'r 1743 The Last Will and Testament of Herman Grothausen deceased was proved in due form of Law and Probat & Letters Testamentary were granted to John & Henry Grothausen the Executors therein named the said John having first Solemnly Sworn and the sd. Henry having first solemnly affirmed well and truly to administer the said Dece'd entr Estate and bring in an Inventory thereof into the Register Generals Office at Philad'a on or before the 16th. of December next And also to render a true and just accompt, when thereunto lawfully required Given under the Seal of the said office
Pet'd Evans Reg'r Gen'l

Henry Groethausen

Henry Greathouse was a son of Herman Groethausen as indicated in his father’s will. He is said to have been born in Germany in 1695. It is said that his tombstone at St. Michael's church shows his date of birth and death. Henry apparently came to America with his father. He married Ann, last name unknown, settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania at some point, and died October 27, 1745 in Pennsylvania, two years after his father. He states in his will that he is of Heidelberg in the County of Lancaster, but the witnesses to his will were residents of Springfield Township, Philadelphia County. Many believe because of the time and place of Henry’s will that Henry was in Springfield Township perhaps to settle his father’s estate or for other reasons since he owned land there. Henry’s will is dated January 3, 1744, and was probated February 23, 1745 and recorded in Philadelphia Will Book G, page 170.

One month after their father’s death, on November 22, 1743, Henry and his brother John had sold part of the land that they had recently inherited. The deed reflects the marriage of Henry and the relationship of Henry and his brother John to Herman. This transaction is recorded in Deed Book G 6, page 128. “Henry Grothouse, Heidelberg Township, Lancaster County, and his wife Ann, and John Grothouse, Springfield, Philadelphia County, and his wife Amelia, transfer to George Rex, Germantown Township, Philadelphia County, blacksmith, 50 acres, consideration £100, part of 500 acres & Springfield, patented by Thomas Penn, proprietary, Feb. 28, 1733, to Herman Groethausen and devised by his will to Henry and John Grothausen”.

Henry’s will, written in January 1744 indicates his wife is still living, notes that he owns about 160 acres of land in Heidleburg in Lancaster County and names his ten children, some of which are still minors in 1744. The ten children are Hermand, Magdalene, Jacob, Peter, Mary, Christian, Katherine, Elizabeth, Susanna and John. They may or may not have been named in order of their ages.

Will of Henry Greathouse

In the name of God Amen. I Henry Groothouse of Heidleburg in the County of Lancaster in the Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman being very sick and weak of Body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to die Do make and ordain this my last will and Testament Touching such worldly Estate whereof I am in anyways Seized or possessed off Imp'es It is my Will that all my just debts and ffuneral Charges be first paid Item I give unto my dear and well beloved wife Ann in Lieu of her Dower the sum of six pounds a year to be paid to her yearly during her life and during, (a line has been left out of the text), the Same Six acres of Land Situate in Springfield in the County of Philadelphia part of the Lands lately devised me by my father Herman Groothouse in any place that there is water John Groothouse and Wiccard Millar part of my Executors herein named shall see convenient also a Logg House to be built by the said John Groothouse and Wiccard Miller on the said six acres for her to live in

Item It's my will that all my Real and Personal Estate w'ch I'm anyways seized or possessed of in the said County of Lancaster be sold by John Orts Micheal Shower and John Van housen part of my Executors herein after named whom I hereby Impower to sell the same and to convey the former It being about one hundred and sixty acres of Land, with the appurtenances situate in Heidleburg as afores'd to the purchaser or purchasers his her their Heirs and Assigns for Ever

Item It is my will that all the Lands situate in Springfield in the County of Philadelphia (the six acres above devised to my wife Excepted) which my father Hermand Groothouse Lately gave bequeathed or devised me by his last will and Testament with the app'es be sold by John Groothouse and Wiccard Miller part of my Exec'es herein after named whom I hereby empower to sell and convey the same to the purchaser or purchasers thereof his her or their Heirs and Assigns for Ever Item I give and bequeath the Money arising from the said Real and Personal Estate in Lancaster County and the said Lands in Philadelphia County over and above the payment of my just Debts and the sum of one hundred pounds I hereby direct my Exec'es to put out to Interest and the Interest therefrom annually to pay unto my said wife during her life for and to defray the annuity herein before bequeathed her unto my Ten Children

equally to be divided amongst them and the part of such are of full age to be paid in a Convenient Time after my decease and of the rest as they shall respectively arrive at the age of twenty one years or Marry which shall first happen and if any of my said Children should Dye Before the age of Twenty one years or Marriage then in such case it is my Will that the share of him or her or them so Dying shall be Equally divided Amongst the Surviving Children

Item It's my will that my Son
Harmand have all my Smith's Tools and Utinsils which he now uses he paying therefore the Sum of Ten Pounds Thirteen Shillings and Six pence

Item I give and Bequeath after my said wife's decease unto my Ten Children or such of them as shall be then living the Six acres of Land above devised to my said wife during her life with the Improvements then thereon and the one hundred Pounds above Directed To be put out to Interest during her life and all other of my personal Estate whatsoever not herein before bequeathed to be equally Divided amongst them

AND LASTLY I constitute make and ordain John Orts Micheal Shower John Vanhousen John Groothouse and Wiccard Miller Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I hereby utterly disallow Revoke and disannuall all and every other Testaments Wills Legacies and Executors by me in anywise before this Time Named will'd and bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament In Witness thereof I have here unto Set my Hand and Seal this third day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand and Seven Hundred and Forty four/5

Henry Groothouse {Seal}. Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Henry Groothouse as his Last Will and Testament the words (during the same It being about one
hundred and Sixty acres of Land with the appurt'es Situate in Heidleburg af'd Ort being first underlined) in the presence of John Barge Thos York Jacob Gans

3 Philad'a Feb 28, 1744 Then personally appeared John Barge Thomas Yorke and Jacob Gans the witnesses to the foregoing Will and upon their oath did declare they saw and heard Henry Groothouse the Testator therein named Sign Seal Publish and declare the same will to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was
of Sound Mind Memory and Understanding to the best of their knowledge ---- Cordm Pet Evans Reg'r Gen'l
Be it Remembered that on the 28'd of Feb 1744 the Last Will and Testament of Henry Groothouse dec'd was proved in due form of Law and Probate and Lr'es Testamentary were granted to John Groothouse and Wiccard Miller Executors in the said Testament named being first Legally Sworn Well and truly to administer the said
Deced'es Estate and to bring an inventory thereof into the Reg'r Gen'l's office at Philad'a at or before the 23d day of March next and render a true Acco't when thereunto Lawfully required Given under the Seal of the said office & Pet Evans Reg'r Gen'l

Harmon Greathouse is said to be the first-born son of Henry and was probably born in Pennsylvania around 1720, but there are no records of his birth.
From a baptismal record where they served as godparents, Jack Murray Greathouse believes Harmon was first married to an Anna Marie Baret, but others have denied this.
Harmon apparently relocated to Frederick County Maryland at some point, where he is said to have married Mary Stull, although no record of that marriage has been found.
Henry's will mentions 'Harmand have all my Smith's Tools and Utinsils which he now uses',
and a will of Mary's brother mentions payment to Harmon for smithing work,
a tie has been assumed between the Harmand in Henry's will and the Harmon
who married Mary Stull. There is a daughter Rachel mentioned in the will
of Mary Stull Greathouse's father and February 20, 1747 Rachel
Grothausen was born and baptized on April 12; parents Herman and Maria
Grothausen. However, researchers have said that this Rachel died, and
that Harmon and Mary had a later child named Rachel. No documentation
has been found. Records of Harmon and wife Mary are found in Frederick and
Baltimore Counties in Maryland and in Hampshire, Yohongania and Ohio Counties
in Virginia. August
11, 1772 Harmon Greathouse & wife Mary of Hampshire County VA sold to Michael Cresap of Frederick County Maryland two tracts on the Potomac River in Hampshire County. About that time, Harmon settled in West Augusta County on a creek that he called Harmon's Run. It later became known as Harmon’s Creek and flows from Pennsylvania into the Ohio River near Holliday's Cove near present day Weirton, WV. In 1776, Ohio, Yohogania and Monongalia counties were created from a portion of West Augusta County Virginia. March 8,
1785 a land patent lists Harmon Greathouse with 400 acres in the county of Yohogania, Virginia along Harmon’s Creek.
When Virginia and Pennsylvania settled their border dispute, most of Yohogania
County was absorbed into Pennsylvania. In 1787 Harman Greathouse is on a tax
list for Ohio County Virginia. In 1788 Harmon and Mary sold three parcels of
land to Isaac, Harmon Jr and Jonathan Greathouse, presumed to be their sons. The 1790 Maryland Census lists
two Harmon Greathouses in Baltimore County. The second Harmon/Harmand has not
been identified. Several children have been attributed to Harmon and Mary Stull Greathouse but only circumstantial evidence suggests the relationships. No marriage record for Harmon and Mary has been found nor any documentation for the birth of any of their children, other than a Rachel born in Philadelphia.

Regarding the other children of Henry and Ann, there has been little documented research to substantiate their whereabouts or their descendants. It's possible that records of Greathouses later in the 1700's are their descendants, but it's also possible that they were descendants of other immigrants with the name Greathouse. There were thousands of German immigrants pouring into Philadelphia alone in the early 1700's.

John/Johann Adolphus Greathouse

John Greathouse was the other known son of Herman Greathouse, the first known Greathouse to America. There is a record of a marriage on November 10, 1720 of John Grothouse and Amelia Miller, both of Philadelphia at Christ Church. There is record of a John Greathouse as surety for bond for the estate of Hieronimus Doderer 16 Jan 1728 in Philadelphia PA.
William Khendale Greathouse shared the following information: John “came here from Germany in 1710 with the family of his father, Hermanus Harman Gröthaus. Johann inherited the Manor House built by his father in 1742 in Springfield Township at 901 East Abington Avenue, Windmoor, Pennsylvania and lived there with his wife Amelia until 1759 when he sold it to his brother-in-law Christopher Ottinger Jr. who married a sister of Amelia. There is a record in Pennsylvania Naturalizations, 1740-73 for John Groothouse in Philadelphia County, PA. In 1750 a John Greathouse is listed as a freeholder and gentleman of the city of Philadelphia PA - Commissions Issued by the Province of Pennsylvania with Official Proclamations By Pennsylvania. In the “History of Montgomery County”. John Greathouse is listed as one of the 16 landholders within the limits of Springfield in 1784. Johann Grothhauz in Christopher Sower's Germantown Newspaper offers ‘plantation 3 miles above Germantown, in Springfield, Montgomery County, wherein there has been a tile kiln for a long time, situated on Great Road to Germantown’. A Johann died about 1791 in Germantown, PA, (but it is not clear if this is Herman’s son John). He is said to be buried in the graveyard of Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In Johann's Will, dated September 15, 1777 he left everything to his brother-in-law, Wigardt Miller (Müller) who was a brother of his wife Anna Amelia Miller.” There is a notation that a J. Grothauser, his family, and others witnessed the marriage of Johann Nicolaus Neiss and Maria Barbara Basensteinin on September 15, 1746. It is not known if this is John. There is a marriage on December 27, 1744 of Leonard Streper and Rebecca Greathouse, but Rebecca’s parents are uncertain. She is not listed as a child of Henry in his will, and it is not confirmed if John and Amelia Miller Greathouse had children. No records of baptism for any children for them have been located. According to Book 5 of the church records - which is no longer available - a John Grothaus/Greathouse died 23 Aug. 1750 and was buried in the graveyard of Saint Michaels Evangelical Lutheran Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA along with his wife Amelia, his father and his brother Henry. According to Jack Murray, there is a record of the burial of his wife Amelia in the records of St. Michael’s Church, Germantown. It reads as follows: “Burials - Amelia Groethausen, November 1, 1774, aged 74 years.” It is also said that there is a will for a John Greathouse, dated September 15, 1777 and that he left all his possessions to his brother-in-law, Wigardt Miller (Müller), brother of his wife Anna Amelia Miller. No documentation of the will.

Few documents exist to establish relationships of parents to children except the wills of Henry and Herman and only a few baptisms. Hannah Benner Roach stated in The Back Part of Germantown “Genealogical data in the Groethause or Greathouse family is fragmentary. Apart from a few scattered records in the registers of St Michael’s Lutheran Church, Germantown, of which Harmon Sr. was a founder, the only data that has been recovered comes from deeds. There was probably some relationship to the Rex family, but whether to the older George Rex or his son George has not been established.”

Unless otherwise noted, the following events until 1750 took place in Philadelphia, Germantown, or Springfield Manor

1715 to 1750

1715 Deed - October 21 Herman Groethausen was granted 500 acres in Springfield Manor by the Commissioners
1716 Witness - April 6 Herman Groethausen was a witness to the will of Cornelius Tyson, of Germantown, Pennsylvania
1720 Marriage - November 10 John Greathouse married Amelia Miller in Christ Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1723 Occupation - Herman Greathouse was a tax collector in Springfield Township, Germantown, Pennsylvania.
1728 Witness - August 17 Herman Greathouse witnessed the nuncupative will of his pastor Anthony Henckel who died at his home.
1732 Landowner - Herman Greathouse is listed as a landowner with 500 acres in Springfield Manor
1733 Deed - February 26 Herman Greathouse 500 acres in Springfield Manor from Commissioners recorded
1740 Deed - November 24 Herman Greathouse to John Greathouse 109 acres in Springfield Manor
1740 Naturalization - John Groothaus of Philadelphia and Henry Groothaus of Lancaster County took oaths as foreigners and became naturalized
1741 Deed - January 15 Herman Greathouse to Christopher Ottinger 50 acres in Springfield Manor
1743 Will - October 19 Herman Greathouse
Death - October 27 of Herman Greathouse in Springfield Manor
Deed - November 22 Henry and wife Ann Grothouse of Heidelburg and
John Grothouse and wife Amelia of Springfield to George Rex 50 acres in Springfield Manor

1744 Will - January 3 Henry Greathouse
Marriage - December 27 Rebecca Greathouse
married Leonard/Lenhart Streper/Streeper in Christ Church in Philadelphia
Deed - January 3 Henry Greathouse to Ann Greathouse

1745 Death - Henry Greathouse in Philadelphia; Tombstone at St Michaels reads 1695 to 1745
Will - February 24 Will of Henry Greathouse probated

1749 Estate - February John Groethause inventoried the estate of Michael Schuetz whose daughter married
William Greathouse in March.
Landowner - June 24
Harmon Greathouse a 50 acre farm called "Chestnut Springs on Antietam Creek in Frederick County,
Maryland
Marriage - March William Greathouse married Maria Barbara Schuetz. Another source lists Feb. 15, 1750
Marriage - August 12 Jacob Groethaus, bachelor from
Tulpehocken to Christianity Van Huse, a single person both Lutheran, married by a license. Lutheran Trinity Church

Wilhelm or William Greathouse is said by Hannah Benner Roach to be a son of John Greathouse,
but no proof is provided. William was probably born about 1730, probably in Springfield Manor, Pennsylvania. It is
recorded that a William married Maria Barbara Schuetz in 1749/1750, and John
Greathouse was appointed to inventory her father's estate. It is believed that
William and Barbara left the Philadelphia area after transferring some land to her
brother. They may have migrated to Bedford County where a John, who was
born in Philadelphia in 1756 to William and Barbara, enlisted in the
Revolutionary War and later described his whereabouts in an application for a
pension in Harrison County, Virginia. It appears that William, Barbara, son John and probably other
family members came to Harrison County, Virginia around 1787, when William
appears on a tax list. In William Sr's will in Harrison County VA, his wife is listed as "Barbary". Records show
on October 18, 1790 Joseph & Ann Gregor, of Harrison County Virginia to William Greathouse, of same, for 62 pounds ten shillings, 500 acres on Zacks Run
adjoining Benjamin Cutter. Recorded October 1792. William died in Harrison County in 1792 and left 200 acres and the house to his wife Barbara, and 100 acres each to his son Gabriel, his son John, and his son-in-law, the husband of his daughter Mary. He left various items to his daughters, Mary, Anna Amelia, and "Caty" and to his son William, but there was no mention of Michael who
has been claimed to be his son. In Harrison County in 1791 Barbary Greathouse, Joseph Shelton, John Radcliff and Joseph Davisson entered into bond of 500 pounds to proceed on the last will and testament of William Greathouse, deceased.

1750 to 1775

1750 John Greathouse is listed as a gentleman and a freeholder in Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Marriage - February 15 Marriage of William Greathouse and Barbara Schuetz in Pennsylvania
Deed - April 18 John and Amelia Greathouse to John Harts 47.25 acres
Deed - June 7 Peter Greathouse
80 acres in Lancaster Co Pennsylvania
Godparents - June 24 John Greathouse and Amelia
to William Ottinger, born Feb 4, 1747, son of Christopher Ottinger and Mary Catherine St Michael’s Lutheran Church in Germantown.
Death - October 23 John Greathouse burial at St. Michael’s Church graveyard
Birth - December 9 Unnamed son of
Peter Grothauser, sponsor Henry Hain baptized Berks County Pennsylvania St John's Reformed, commonly called Hain's Church
Debt - Harman Greathouse is
listed as owing a debt to the estate of innkeeper Cleburn Simms Frederick
County Maryland
Baptism - Sept 15 - Juliana Sybyl Greathouse baptized in Frederick County,
Maryland

1751 Payment - July 26 Harmon Greathouse received payment in settlement in Daniel Stull’s estate for smithing work in Frederick County
Maryland.
1752 Communion - St Michael’s Lutheran Church in Germantown– Sunday after Easter lists
Johannes and Amelia Grothaus
1754 Chain Carrier - Harmon Greathouse served as a chain carrier in a survey near the Potomac River in Hampshire County
Virginia

1755 Land Sale - November 18 Harmon Greathouse of Virginia sold his Chestnut Springs tract in
Maryland.

1765 Chain Carrier - Harmon Greathouse served as a chain carrier in Hampshire County
Virginia Deed - April 20 - Benjamin Waygers, Baltimore County sold 10 acres near the Patapsco River to Harmon Greathousen blacksmith of Baltimore County,
Maryland

1766 Tax list - Harmon Greathouse Baltimore County Maryland
Land Purchase - September 11-Harmon
Greathouse - Hampshire County Virginia 249 acres on
Potomack River adjoining the land of William Bickerstaff.

By the 1770’s there were Greathouses in the northern panhandle of what is now West Virginia. About 1770, Daniel Greathouse had built a small fort near Newell in now Hancock County, then in West Augusta until it became Yohogania County in 1776. The fort seemed to attract other family members to the area. The following year, Harmon Greathouse, believed to be Daniel’s father, settled on a creek near present-day Weirton WV that still bears his name, Harmon's Creek.

1771 Tax List - Harmon Greathouse Baltimore County, Maryland

1772 Land Sale - August 11 Harmon Greathouse & wife Mary of Hampshire County
Virginia sold to Michael Cresap of Frederick Co MD two tracts on the Potomac River

1773 History - Jacob Greathouse was hunting in present day Boyd County Kentucky
with Simon Kenton, William Grills, Samuel Cartwright and Joseph Lock.

1774 Deed - Columbia County Georgia "...granted Oct. 5, 1774 to Sir Patrick Houston, bounded at time of survey by Absolom Bedeel,
Jacob Greathouse John Sidwell & Jonathan Seel".Death -November 1 Death and Burial of Amelia Groethausen Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Residence - John Greathouse settled on 400 acres of land in the Mingo bottom of the Ohio River, Yohogania County,
Virginia – Washington County, Pennsylvania
Military
- Jacob Greathouse is also listed as a soldier from Georgia in the Revolutionary
War - no dates.

1775 Land Sale - July 13 Daniel Greathouse sold property to William McMahan in Yohogania County Virginia
1775 Military - October 7 Daniel Greathouse listed on roll of militia Capt Michael Cresap Sr. in
Yohogania County Virginia

In 1776 Virginia had formed the three counties of Ohio, Yohogania and Monongalia from their West Augusta District.
However, Pennsylvania claimed some of the same territory.
A petition was circulated asking the Continental Congress for a new state of ‘Westsylvania’. This petition was circulated when there were strong feelings as to whether land from the Ohio River to the Laurel Hills of Pennsylvania was in Virginia or Pennsylvania territory.
This new state would have included the present counties of Fayette, Washington and Greene Counties in Pennsylvania and
the counties of Ohio, Marshall, Brooke, Hancock and Monongalia in West Virginia. Persons on the list are assumed to be some of the settlers in
that area. Included are the names of Harmon Greathouse, John Greathouse and William Greathouse.
When the dispute was settled in the 1780’s, the northern portion of Monongalia, the eastern portion of Ohio County, and almost all of Yohogania County became part of Pennsylvania. A small portion of Yohogania County stayed with Virginia and eventually became part of Brooke and then Hancock
County. In 1863 these Virginia counties became part of the new state of West Virginia.

1777 Military - May 22 Jacob Greathouse Northampton Pennsylvnia – on roll of Capt Wm Heyser’s company
Death - Yohogania County Virginia Daniel Greathouse
Land Sale - Oct 30 John Greathouse Yohogania County
Virginia
Birth - October 27 Johannes Greathouse
born in Shenandoah County Virginia to John Greathouse and Elizabeth
Military - September 15 John Greathouse enlisted in Bedford County
Pennsylvania, Col. Kilgore’s 8th PA Regiment
Will of John Greathouse in Philadelphia
Pennsylvania – no children or spouse
mentioned Land Sale - John Greathouse
sold land to a William McMahan Yohogania County Virginia.
Court - Aug 27 Yohogania County Virginia- Wm McMahon v.
John Greathouse Military - Jacob
Greathouse - Continental Troops - Deserted - Maryland
Military - John Greathouse
- private in Capt. Basil Prather's Company - Pennsylvania

1778 Estate - March 25 John Greathouse appointed administrator of brother Daniel Greathouse estate in Yohogania County
Virginia
Jury - John Greathouse served on a jury in Yohogania County,
Virginia
Military - May 14 William Grotehouse Northampton
Pennsylvania in Cpt John Roberts 1st Btn 2nd Class
Birth - September 22 Elizabeth Greathouse born in Shenandoah County
Virginia to John Greathouse & Catherine Elissen;
Estate - September 28 administration of
Daniel Greathouse's estate was transferred from John Greathouse to widow Yohogania County, Virginia.
Estate - October 15 John Greathouse settled accounts with Daniel Greathouse’s widow in Yohogania County
Virginia
Baptism - November 15 Elizabeth Greathouse baptized in Shenandoah County
Virginia
Baptism -November 15 Johannes Greathouse baptized in Shenandoah County
Virginia
Birth - John Greathouse based on censuses and tombstone in
Virginia
Oath - Harmon Greathouse Oath of Fidelity list in Baltimore County
Maryland

1779 Military - William Greathouse was a private in the company of Captain William Harrod.

1780 Tax List - William Grothouse Plainfield Township, Northamption, Pennsylvania
Occupation - William Grothouse is showing as a tailor and a taxable in Northampton County,
Pennsylvania
Military - May 16 William Grothouse Northampton
Pennsylvania Corporal in Capt Lew Starcher’s 2nd Btn 4th
Company
Military - March 14 John Greathouse discharged at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – same as the one who enlisted from Bedford County
Court - April 20 Kentucky District - regarding adjusting a
title to unpatented land - mentions Mary Hartness heir at law of Jacob
Greathouse
Petition - August 23 Herman,
John and William Greathouse sign a petition to Congress about problems in Kentucky.

1786 Military - April 7 William Greathouse Washington County Pennsylvania
certificate for military service Regiment B
History - Gabriel Greathouse early settler in Brooke County, Virginia
Residence - Harmon Greathouse in Fayette County, Wharton Township,
Pennsylvania
Petition - John Greathouse
and William Greathouse sign a petition for a road in Harrison County,
Virginia
Land Sale - June 16 Harmon Greathouse to Christopher Yeakle 6 acres
- date noted in Springfield Historical Society Records
Land Grant July 7 John
Greathouse, made by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, comprised 289 acres on Harmon
run
Power of Attorney - October 26
Harmon and Mary Greathouse of County of Ohio in the State of Virginia
to Margaret Stull of Frederick County Maryland
History - November 11 John
Mathews, a surveyor, mentions a visit to the home of Harman Greathouse, father of ‘my friend William’
Land Sale - November 17 Henry Greathouse children to Christopher Yeakle 6 acres
- date noted in Springfield Historical Society Records
History - Harmon Greathouse and
William Greathouse mentioned in the Upper panhandle in Virginia
Residence - William Greathouse living in Ohio County,Virginia opposite
Mingo Bottom
Military - April 7 William Greathouse Washington County Pennsylvania
certificate issue Reg B
Exemption - William Greathouse in Harrison County Virginia is exempted from working on highway

1794 to 1803 William Groathouse appears as a distiller in Mifflin County,
Pennsylvania. Marriage - January 21-
David Greathouse Baltimore County Maryland to Pensilla Goodwin marriage
Land Sale - March 20- Elizabeth
Greathouse Baltimore County Maryland sale to David Greathouse 50 a Bond's for deed
Witness - March 20 - Samuel Greathouse Baltimore County
Maryland land sale Elizabeth to David

1796 Deed - April 19 Ohio County Virginia mentions land near William Greathouse
Tax List - William Greathouse Tax List Clark County,
Kentucky
Marriage - August 16 William Greathouse serves as bondsman in marriage of Samuel
Greathouse to Susanna Greathouse in Clark County, Kentucky
Marriage - August 16 John Greathouse signs that he is the father of
Susanna Greathouse Court -
September 12 - John Greathouse Ohio County, Virginia - summoned to testify re:
McCormick
Deed - mentions land adjoining John Greathouse Ohio County, Virginia
Deed - Property line of William Greathouse mentioned

1797 Mifflin County Pennsylvania two lots for a William
Groathouse, with the right to repair the mill-race.
Land tax Harrison County Virginia John and
William Greathouse
Land Tax - Barbara/Barbary Greathouse Harrison County
Virginia
Tax List - William Greathouse Clark County,
Kentucky Court - Barbara Greathouse Harrison County
Virginia Record -horse theft from her pasture
Tax List - Barbary Greathouse
Virginia Harrison County
Tax List - Gabriel Greathouse
Virginia Harrison County
Court - John Greathouse
Virginia Harrison County Record-horse theft from his mother's pasture
Tax List - John Greathouse
Virginia Harrison County
Court -Mar 25- Greathouse Michael
Virginia Harrison County Slander charges Michael & wife Rachel
Tax List Greathouse William VA Harrison County

1798 Land Sale - October 13 Gabriel Greathouse and his wife Ruth, then residents of Bourbon County,
Kentucky, sold 400 acres of land in Brooke County, Virginia
Marriage - October 11 Marriage Harrison County Virginia Ragena Greathouse to John Stackhouse; she listed as daughter of William Greathouse Land Sale -
October 18David Greathouse Frederick County
Maryland 50 acres of Bond's Forest

1801 June 23 Quit Claim Deed Georgia John Davis, John Castle and
Jacob Greathouse of Columbia County and Catherine Jones and Abraham Perkins of Warren County, heirs of Jacob Greathose, Sr., deceased

1802 Gabriel Greathouse declared under oath in his chancery suite that he “is the son and only heir and representative of a certain
Daniel Greathouse dec’d “Greathouse vs. McCreery, Paris District Court, Bourbon County,
Kentucky, 1802.

1803 May 9 marriage Susanna Greathouse to Adam Parsons Harrison County Virginia
May 27 marriage Elizabeth Greathouse to James Majors Warren County Kentucky – consent by parents
John and Caty Greathouse

1813 Marriage - February 9 Barren County Kentucky Levi Greathouse to Betsy Boyd
Occupation - Shawneetown Gallatin County
Illinois Gabriel Greathouse serving as a judge for the court of common pleas
Tax List - Mason County Virginia
John Greathouse

1814 Military - June 23 Army enlistment Samuel Greathouse born in Jessamine County
Kentucky
Marriage - November 10 Bullitt County
Kentucky Jonathan Greathouse to Sally Caldwell
Land Grant - November 1st Enoch Greathouse
entered land in Section 20 in now Edwards County Illinois
Tax List - Mason County Virginia
John Greathouse
Military - March 8 - John Greathouse
discharged War of 1812 - from Mason County, Virginia

1815 Marriage - July 27 Hopkins County Kentucky Marian Greathouse to William Gamblin
Marriage - August 1 Mason County
Kentucky William Greathouse to Jane Lewis